Excercise Your Dog

Do you find that your dog is restless and is always pacing back and forth? Is it hyperactive and jumping around constantly? Does your pet still not settle down, even when reprimanded? Some people may think that your dog is acting badly or being rebellious. The truth is, this can just be a sign that your dog needs more exercise. Keeping your pet inside the house all day is not healthy, especially if it is a big dog. Pets need exercise, just as people do.

Who says dogs don't get severe diseases? If humans need exercise to stay fit and healthy, dogs need the same. They can also get sick if they do not exercise every day. Although there are different types of dog breeds, all of them can have the same benefits.

10 Helpful Fun Games to Exercise Your Dog:

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Walking

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If you have a big dog, you should get a good sturdy, strong leash first to prevent your dog running away from you. Walk your dog daily - both you and your dog will get health benefits from walking 30 minutes up to an hour a day. Walking your dog on a daily basis can help exercise his or her body as well as his or her mind. Taking your pet for a walk is an important regimen in keeping him or her mentally and physically stable. Your pet will also be well-behaved the rest of the day because he or she is tired.

Swimming is great exercise for your dog. Do you have a big pool your pet can swim in? If so, then you do not have to worry about going out because you can use your pool to train your dog to swim in and do exercise. This will also help your pet to work his or her whole body and mind. Did you notice that when you get home, he or she seems very excited, like jumping and bumping into you? Then, this is a sign that your dog lacks exercise. Remember that an exhausted dog almost always behaves well.

Dogs love this sport. They love catching and fetching a thing! Not only can your dog enjoy what he or she is doing, but he or she can also boost his or her well-being. You do not have to choose a Frisbee plastic disk to throw far away for your dog to fetch. A piece of wood or a stick will do as a plastic disk. Your dog will just catch and fetch it anyway.

Who says that only cats love to play with balls? Dogs also love them! Throw the ball far away, your dog will likely go and excitedly fetch it. This way, your dog will get exercise. Make sure that the ball you use is suitable for dogs, as their teeth are sharp and may damage an ordinary ball.

If you have a treadmill at home, you may want to get your pet on a treadmill after you. If you do not have one, you may want to buy a treadmill for dogs. This will likely require training so that your dog will follow your command. You can use some treats to keep him on a treadmill. If he or she gets used to it, you may gradually increase the speed for him or her to exercise.

This is fun and healthy game, yet risky, as the dog could become aggressive when playing tug of war with you. Dogs like playing this game with their owners, but to some extent, they do not realize that they could harm their masters. Before engaging in a tug of war, you should have a full control and power over your dog's wild behavior. If he or she begins to attack you when playing, then it is time for you to control and reprimand him or her.

In this game, you have to use some dog treats and hide them anywhere in the house. Your dog will keep tracking these treats, and at the same time, he or she will get exercise by searching for them. This is a perfect exercise to do on rainy and snowy days.

You may be busy every day because you are working, and you do not have time to exercise your dog even by walking him or her. This is not a problem because you can actually adopt a new dog whom he or she can play with. Dogs need partners in crime, and then they can exercise themselves at home when you are away. Actually, two is better than one, and it is more fun.

Why not use your stairs to exercise your dog? This will keep both of you from going out every day to do brisk walking. Make use of your stairs to exercise. Running up and down the stairs can build strong muscles in your dog's whole body. As a matter of fact, doing exercises on stairs is a lot better than jogging or running on the road. To do this, get his favorite toy and stand at the top of the stairs. Throw his favorite toy down the stairs and your dog will fetch it from there and then run toward you with it. Do the same procedure until your dog gets tired and does not want to play anymore. Now, he will be well-behaved for the rest of the day.

Dogs love jumping, which can help them build strong muscles, especially in their legs. In doing this exercise, you have to use a spare cloth or a wood stick and play it with your dog. Make sure you will pull the cloth or the stick-up and down, which will trigger your dog to reach and catch it, making him jump constantly.

Tips Tricks & Warnings

Don't over-exercise your dog. If he starts panting heavily or has trouble breathing, it's time to stop exercising.

Make sure your dog gets plenty of fresh water after exercising. He will definitely be thirsty!

The most important thing is to love your dog. They only live for a short period, so show your pet what he or she deserves - love and care.

When walking your dog, make sure not to let him or her walk you. Some owners do not know how to walk their dogs properly. First, the collar should be high up on his or her neck so that you will be able to have full control of your dog when he or she starts pulling on his or her leash. If your dog starts to pull, stop and stand like a tree, and then walk only when he or she becomes calm. Do the same method, once your pet starts pulling it again. Over time, your dog will learn to follow your orders. Dogs view their owners as masters, so they always follow them. If you let them walk first before you, your dog may think he or she has the full control over you. Walk first and your dog should be behind or beside you.

When exercising your dog in a deep swimming pool or lake, always monitor him or her. Some dogs can panic and may drown.

Always seek advice from a veterinarian about the right exercise activities suitable for your dog. Young dogs cannot sustain running or jogging with you, because their bones are not fully grown yet. In fact, these activities are not recommended for them. Large dogs, on the other hand, can have a hard time sustaining the activities because of their bones and joints. They will likely feel joint pain, muscle strains, etc.,

Questions and Answers

My dog is really lazy but I want him to get more exercise?

My dog isn't very old, he's a 5 year old lab. All he wants to do is eat and sit around the house. He doesn't seem to enjoy going to the park and playing.

The most common causes of a dog becoming lazy is either obesity or a more serious illness. Dogs are meant to run and play, but most importantly, they are meant to want to do those things. If you have tried enticing your dog to play and exercise with you by tossing balls, hooking him up to his leash and trying to walk him, and other ways that usually get dogs to play, you may need to take him to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian should be able to examine your dog and look for any potential causes for his behavior, including obesity, a bad diet, or another, more serious illness that your dog is suffering from. Let the veterinarian make recommendations for correcting the behavior, and make sure you take them to heart; you want to help your lab get better so you can enjoy his companionship and return your furry friend to his normal, playful demeanor.